We’re just “people”, as common as the clay of the earth—from which God created us, and to which He promises us that we will return!
I’m therefore nothing ‘special’. That’s a hard saying for those in our society. It is especially hard for parents, who consistently want to make their children “feel special.” “God only made one of you!” we say, and that’s true. But He also made billions of others. And so in a very real way, we are as “special” as every snowflake, which is different from every other one, but is simultaneously as common as the next one to fall from the sky!
In today’s Epistle reading (2Cor 11:31-12:9), Saint Paul demonstrates to us how very uncommon he is.
He begins by relating the account of how he had to depend on others to smuggle him physically out of Damascus to save his life.
But then he goes on to describe “a man”, which obviously becomes a pseudonym for himself, who experienced Divine revelations, being caught up to the third heaven, and also being caught up into Paradise where he heard inexpressible words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter. This gives us only a dim glimpse into the holiness that exists in the heavenly realms, where spiritual beings (the angels) give voice to things that we, as God’s creation, His “people”, are bound by His Heavenly law to NOT pronounce!
It takes someone more “special” than Saint Paul to speak such words!
Saint Paul uses the word “boast”. The Greek word used is kauchaomai, which translates more often to glory than to boast. But it also carries the additional meaning of rejoice. The Saint is giving us a wealth of meaning by his choice of words, indicative of his being overcome with awe at what God revealed to him.
Now, all of this indeed makes St. Paul one of a very few who have ever had a revelation such as this. We would conclude that this indeed makes him “special”!
But what words does he use immediately following these?
Of such a one I will glory, yet of myself I will not glory, except in my infirmities. The word used for infirmities is astheneia, which also means weakness or sickness.
What is a focus on weakness indicative of if not of sin? And so immediately following the incredible description of things heavenly, Saint Paul brings us immediately back to earth, and to his (and through him, our) sinfulness. The one special snowflake has just attached himself to the pile of those billions of others, showing in only a few words what potential God has built into us, His creation, but leaving us as members of the larger humanity.
Why?
All of us have been given gifts. They are to be used in godly ways, in ways that benefit the spiritual well-being of those whom God puts into our lives as being in need in ways He has blessed each of us individually to be of help to the least of His brethren.
Saint Paul goes on to show how God even has a purpose for physical infirmity, wherein one as close to the Lord as Saint Paul is told that his illness will NOT be healed. Why? Because My grace is sufficient for you. In short, “I’ve given you what you need to find salvation. That includes a little suffering! Again, why? For My strength is made perfect in weakness!
None of us ever want to bear the burdens of sickness nor suffering. None of us want to watch loved ones have to bear those burdens. But we need to trust in God who gives to us only that which is of benefit for our salvation—even infirmity.
If we can come to a recognition of such a loving grace from our Lord, we too can glory in our own infirmities.
Glory to Jesus Christ! Glory forever!
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